Beyond Tuition: Rethinking Student Budgets and the Cost of College
The Cost of Attendance figure shapes how much aid students receive, how colleges talk about affordability, and how families plan. Drawing on findings from the Hildreth Institute's Cost of Attendance Transparency Project, this afternoon brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and funders around two questions: whose circumstances a standard student budget can actually represent, and whether one number can do all the jobs we ask of it.
Agenda
Morning · Core Group members only| 8:30–9:30 | Coffee and arrival |
| 9:30–12:15 | Core Group working session |
| 12:15–1:15 | Core Group lunch |
| 1:15–1:45 | Arrival, coffee, and cookies |
| 1:45–2:00 | Welcome and research takeaways |
| 2:00–3:00 | Panel 1: Beyond the Standard Budget |
| 3:00–3:15 | Break |
| 3:15–4:15 | Panel 2: One Number, Many Uses |
| 4:15–4:30 | Closing: From Research to a Policy Framework |
| 4:30–5:30 | Happy hour and networking |
Panels
Panel 1 · 2:00–3:00 pm
Beyond the Standard Budget: Whose Circumstances Does COA Reflect?
Students' lives vary widely, and standard budgets miss much of that variation. This panel looks at what gets left out, how institutions are responding, and what it means for equity.
Moderator: Sara Partridge (Center for American Progress)
Panelists: Kim Cook (National College Attainment Network), Christina Lomeli (John Burton Advocates for Youth), Helen Faith (University of Virginia), Roxanne Garza (Education Trust)
Panel 2 · 3:15–4:15 pm
One Number, Many Uses: How COA Shapes Aid and Affordability
COA estimates vary from campus to campus, and that variation has consequences. This panel starts there and asks whether a single figure can serve all the purposes it's used for.
Moderator: Tanya Garcia (The Institute for College Access & Success)
Panelists: Robert Kelchen (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), Bryce McKibben (The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs), Rachel Fishman (New America), Bryan J. Cook (Urban Institute)
Closing · 4:15–4:30 pm
From Research to a Policy Framework
Final reflections and invitation to help shape a policy framework in early 2027.
Venue & parking
20 F Street Conference Center
20 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
A short walk from Union Station (Metro Red Line, Amtrak, MARC, and VRE).
Parking
Reserve a guaranteed spot at a nearby garage through the venue's SpotHero link.
Accessible parking is available in the Colonial Parking garage connected to the building. Directions are below.
Accessible parking (Colonial Parking garage)
- From North Capitol Street, turn right onto E Street.
- Continue past Hotel George.
- Immediately after the hotel, turn right into the alley.
- The Colonial Parking garage is on your right.
- Park in a designated accessible space, then take the garage elevator to the lobby level.
Hotel
Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill
525 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001 · 202-628-2100
Core group members who are traveling for the event will be staying at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, a few blocks from the venue. Please contact Hiba Agha at h.agha@hildrethinstitute.org if you did not receive a confirmation.
Questions and accommodations
For accessibility requests, dietary needs, or questions about the day, contact Hiba Agha at h.agha@hildrethinstitute.org.
Day-of contact: Hiba Agha at h.agha@hildrethinstitute.org